Kurup - Name change

Kurup

2021, Malayalam

Directed by Srinath Rajendran

Stars - Dulquer Salmaan, Shine Tom Chacko, Sobhita Dhulipala, Indrajith Sukumaran

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gangster films are what they are because they are so visceral in examining the human condition.  Looking out for number one, driven by greed, protecting of one's own, and living by clearly defined code of honor, these are the qualities that make the Don such a fascinating character study.

 

Kurup is less story than characterization.  In a non-chronological way, it creates an image of less than moral but complex man.  By far a lot more than the historical Kurup is wanted for, but a great backdrop of creating a legend.

 

It takes a legendary actor to play this role, and Mr. Salmaan owns this role.  He is at once playful and dark, mischievous and dangerous.  He is both stylish and rough, grown up but Peter Pan

The telling moment of his acting is the very incident that brought Kurup to fame, faking his own death by killing a man who resembles him and setting him ablaze.  Here we see a man struggling between greed and morality, allowing the former to redeem him from blame in the murder of an innocent man.  This is where Mr. Chacko joins the fore, creating a legendary contrast to Dulquer's Kurup to play against.

Less morality play than it is characterization, Kurup deserves a place among good gangster movies.